Everything headed in the right direction?

zwisham · Nov 12, 2019

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to make sure I'm doing everything/ mostly everything I can be doing for my tank. I'm going to list what my test parameters are at, what I'm using, and what I'm doing. I set my tank up the first week of October and started with nitrifying bacteria and oxygen booster. Also, I've gotten the diatoms I believe. My tank is a 24 gallon show tank with 7 gallon sump from Aquatop. I have an AI Prime that I've added to it and a 500 gph power head. Also, I have a TP-Link Kasa Power Strip controlling the electrical components. The only thing I want to add in the immediate future is an ATO.

LIVE STOCK:

2 osciallaris clown fish
1 yellow tailed damselfish
3 chromis
1 cleaner shrimp
6 red-tipped dwarf hermit crabs
1 smaller sized torch coral
1 small zooanthid, neon orange

TEST PARAMETERS:

pH: 8.3 - 8.4
Salinity: 1.025
Temp: 77.2F
Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrites: All at zero.

FILTRATION:

I have ceramic media rings, activated carbon pellets, and PhosGaurd in my sump. I replace these exactly as the directions on them dictate.
I also have a protein skimmer that I run for about 14 hours a day, mostly at night.
I do 20% water changes every week, usually on a Tuesday - this is a consistent day I have off. This is when I feed my torch coral. I feed it Reef Roids that the LFS suggested. I do this then as my circulation is off.

ADDITIVES:

I use Instant Ocean Reef Crystals salt and mix my own saltwater. I was buying water from my LFS and Petco and was getting very mixed results. Now that I mix my own saltwater, I've found my tank is much healthier.
I use Instant Ocean Sea Buffer. I do this almost daily but keep a steady eye on my pH levels.
I also use Kent Marine Purple Tech in my tank.

As I think of other things, I'll add them.

Flippers4pups · Nov 12, 2019

zwisham said:
Hi everyone,

I just wanted to make sure I'm doing everything/ mostly everything I can be doing for my tank. I'm going to list what my test parameters are at, what I'm using, and what I'm doing. I set my tank up the first week of October and started with nitrifying bacteria and oxygen booster. Also, I've gotten the diatoms I believe. My tank is a 24 gallon show tank with 7 gallon sump from Aquatop. I have an AI Prime that I've added to it and a 500 gph power head. Also, I have a TP-Link Kasa Power Strip controlling the electrical components. The only thing I want to add in the immediate future is an ATO.

LIVE STOCK:

2 osciallaris clown fish

1 yellow tailed damselfish

3 chromis

1 cleaner shrimp

6 red-tipped dwarf hermit crabs

1 smaller sized torch coral

1 small zooanthid, neon orange

TEST PARAMETERS:

pH: 8.3 - 8.4

Salinity: 1.025

Temp: 77.2F

Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrites: All at zero.

FILTRATION:

I have ceramic media rings, activated carbon pellets, and PhosGaurd in my sump. I replace these exactly as the directions on them dictate.

I also have a protein skimmer that I run for about 14 hours a day, mostly at night.

I do 20% water changes every week, usually on a Tuesday - this is a consistent day I have off. This is when I feed my torch coral. I feed it Reef Roids that the LFS suggested. I do this then as my circulation is off.

ADDITIVES:

I use Instant Ocean Reef Crystals salt and mix my own saltwater. I was buying water from my LFS and Petco and was getting very mixed results. Now that I mix my own saltwater, I've found my tank is much healthier.

I use Instant Ocean Sea Buffer. I do this almost daily but keep a steady eye on my pH levels.

I also use Kent Marine Purple Tech in my tank.

As I think of other things, I'll add them.

Looks great so far! I would ditch the buffer and stop worrying about pH.

Test your alkalinity as it will be very important going forward!

NotFishyFishGuy · Nov 12, 2019

Do you know what ATO you want? I would recommend the neptuen apex atk, but that seems to be having a lot of problems lately mine wont even work and I’m on my third replacement. Lol. Great tank btw

Nooooooooob1 · Nov 13, 2019

Looks great! Sounds like everything is going well. Like previously mentioned, I'd try doing without the buffer.

I've been using this ATO for about two years and it's been flawless. I was skeptical at first because it has some sketchy reviews, but I had to try it as it was a gift. And I've been really impressed. I like it because it's not mechanical and I clean it off every few months to keep it looking new.

NotFishyFishGuy · Nov 13, 2019

Nooooooooob1 said:
Looks great! Sounds like everything is going well. Like previously mentioned, I'd try doing without the buffer.

I've been using this ATO for about two years and it's been flawless. I was skeptical at first because it has some sketchy reviews, but I had to try it as it was a gift. And I've been really impressed. I like it because it's not mechanical and I clean it off every few months to keep it looking new.

wow lol half the price and half the problems compared to my apex atk

BeejReef · Nov 13, 2019

Can't comment on some of your hardware and filtration, but you have a sound and considered approach as well as a consistent methodology.
Agree with everyone. I've never once heard a kind word about a ph buffer.
With few corals and the aggressive water change schedule, very likely your parameters are very good.
That would be my one suggestion. Testing and logging.